by Mof Gimmers

Something has got my goat. For too long now, too many fools out there have recalled supposed glorious TV programmes from their youth.

You can guarantee steam from my ears when some idiot pipes up with "Ooooh! Do you remember Gordon the Gopher?! OOOH! AND ED THE DUCK!"

Not because I hate nostalgia. Far from it. I just like good nostalgia.

Step forward, not just the best kiddie show in history, but quite possibly one of the greatest shows ever shown regardless of who it was aimed at. Welcome to the fore, The Mysterious Cities of Gold.

In the advent of programmes like 'People you don't care about remember the 80s', none of them are bright enough to recall '...Cities of Gold'. They're all far too busy cooing about Quattro drink or velcro. For those in the know, MCoG was where it was at.

First, let's get the obvious bit out of the way. That theme tune. When faced with this mighty piece of moog genius, most are reduced to either complete inane grinning, sobbing tear of joy or in my case, a mixture of the two.

"Children of the sun! See your time has just begun, searching for the way, through adventures every day"

Not only that, soaring "AAAAAAAAH" bit, and the grand opening of "It is the 16th Century. From all over Europe great ships sale west to conquer the new world..." Tales of adventure, the disenfranchisement of the Andean people, Eldorado, gold, treasure... and, get this, the curve ball. Education to boot! Not content with showing the poor people of the Andes getting, well, shit on to be frank, but episodes were accompanied by short 2 minute documentaries showing modern day South Americans keeping traditions alive through songs about the time they were invaded. Beat that Telly-fucking-Tubbies.

Another thing about MCoG is the size of the thing! As a young pup, it felt like the show ran for about 3 years. It wouldn't surprise me if someone came forward and confirmed this. This was no flash in the pan. If most modern cartoons breed giggles and passive interest, this enveloped you, like getting lost in a novel aged 8. It's incredible to think that it managed to keep young minds gripped for long enough.

The story itself focused on the thrills and spills of Esteban, Zia, Tao and rugged handsome chap in a cape, Mendoza. Joining the journey was Tao's parrot - Kokaptl (pronounced Kook-a-petal). They had a Golden Condor which they flew around in. They got hounded by thieving idiots. The climbed mountains. They found themselves on a spiritual quest for chrissakes!!!

The guy who created the show, Jean Chalopin proved that this was no fluke. In fact, he pretty much made all this writer's favourite cartoons ever. Ulysses 31 (another ace spiritual quest), Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors, Pole Position, MASK... as well as Inspector Gadget and Heathcliff. In fact, if Bob Geldof can get a knighthood, then surely Monsieur Chalopin is more than deserving. In fact, there should be a petition.

Talking of petitions, there are numerous for MCoG. It is said that the BBC still hold the cards when it comes to seeing MCoG on your box again. One site is petitioning for its release on an official DVD, while another is happy just to have it on TV again. I'd be happy either way.

Mysterious Cities of Gold simply was the best thing on TV, and it is unlikely it will ever be matched. If you disagree, you probably watched the Mr T cartoon.

I know people say things like this all the time, but they really don't make 'em like that anymore.

Ace fan site
  MCoG petition
All the info you need on old cartoons